EP4246696A2 - Battery module, electric power unit, and work machine - Google Patents
Battery module, electric power unit, and work machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP4246696A2 EP4246696A2 EP23185205.4A EP23185205A EP4246696A2 EP 4246696 A2 EP4246696 A2 EP 4246696A2 EP 23185205 A EP23185205 A EP 23185205A EP 4246696 A2 EP4246696 A2 EP 4246696A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- battery module
- accommodation case
- communication hole
- accommodation
- cell
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 230000004308 accommodation Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 139
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 20
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 16
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 16
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 16
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 14
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 9
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005056 compaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003252 repetitive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000638 solvent extraction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
- H01M50/30—Arrangements for facilitating escape of gases
- H01M50/35—Gas exhaust passages comprising elongated, tortuous or labyrinth-shaped exhaust passages
- H01M50/367—Internal gas exhaust passages forming part of the battery cover or case; Double cover vent systems
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
- H01M50/20—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
- H01M50/204—Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
- H01M50/207—Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells characterised by their shape
- H01M50/213—Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells characterised by their shape adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
- H01M10/61—Types of temperature control
- H01M10/613—Cooling or keeping cold
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
- H01M10/62—Heating or cooling; Temperature control specially adapted for specific applications
- H01M10/623—Portable devices, e.g. mobile telephones, cameras or pacemakers
- H01M10/6235—Power tools
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
- H01M10/65—Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells
- H01M10/656—Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells characterised by the type of heat-exchange fluid
- H01M10/6561—Gases
- H01M10/6563—Gases with forced flow, e.g. by blowers
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
- H01M10/65—Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells
- H01M10/656—Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells characterised by the type of heat-exchange fluid
- H01M10/6561—Gases
- H01M10/6566—Means within the gas flow to guide the flow around one or more cells, e.g. manifolds, baffles or other barriers
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
- H01M50/20—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
- H01M50/233—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders characterised by physical properties of casings or racks, e.g. dimensions
- H01M50/24—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders characterised by physical properties of casings or racks, e.g. dimensions adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
- H01M50/20—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
- H01M50/247—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M2220/00—Batteries for particular applications
- H01M2220/30—Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a battery module, an electric power unit, and a working machine.
- PTL 1 discloses an arrangement of a battery pack with a plurality of cells arranged therein, in which an outer case is provided with a suction port and an exhaust port, and a ventilation passage is formed where cooling air entering from the suction port passes around and/or between the plurality of cells and is exhausted from the exhaust port.
- the battery pack may be placed on a floor, a shelf, or the like in a state in which it is detached from a charger or a power tool. In such a case, a foreign substance may enter from the suction port or the exhaust port.
- the arrangement described in PTL 1 takes no measure to prevent entry of the foreign substance.
- the present invention has as its object to provide a battery module advantageous in reducing entry of foreign substances to the inside with a simple arrangement.
- a battery module as an aspect of the present invention comprises a cell assembly formed by sandwiching a plurality of battery cells by a pair of holding members; and an accommodation case configured to accommodate the cell assembly, wherein the accommodation case includes a vent hole for gas, and a flow path passing through the vent hole is formed in a labyrinth structure by covering the vent hole by a connecting portion between the pair of holding members.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an arrangement example of the working machine 1.
- the working machine 1 of this embodiment is a working machine (electric working machine) including an electric power unit 10 that includes a battery module 100 and a motor device 11.
- Examples of the working machine 1 include a plate compactor, a rammer, a lawn mower, a cultivator, and a snow remover, and Fig. 1 illustrates a plate compactor.
- the working machine 1 includes, for example, the electric power unit 10, a working unit 20 (working mechanism), a power transmission mechanism 30, and a steering handle 40.
- the working unit 20 is a unit for performing predetermined work, and in this embodiment, it is a unit that performs rolling compaction work to compact the ground.
- the electric power unit 10 includes, for example, the battery module 100 and the motor device 11.
- the battery module 100 is a storage battery including a plurality of battery cells, and can be configured to be attachable/detachable to/from the motor device 11. The specific arrangement of the battery module 100 will be described later.
- the motor device 11 can include a motor 11a that is operated by electric power from the battery module 100, and a control unit (not shown) that controls driving of the motor.
- the control unit can be a PDU (Power Drive Unit), but may be configured to include a processor represented by a CPU, a storage device such as a semiconductor memory, an interface with an external device, and the like.
- the motor device 11 is provided with a cooling fan 11b as an exhaust unit for exhausting the gas in an accommodation case 120 from exhaust holes formed in the accommodation case 120 of the battery module 100.
- the cooling fan 11b may also be used for cooling the motor 11a, or may be provided separately from a component for cooling the motor 11a.
- the cooling fan 11b is rotatably attached to the shaft member of the motor 11a, and configured to rotate together with the shaft member of the motor 11a, thereby drawing the gas in the accommodation case 120 of the battery module 100 and exhausting the gas in the accommodation case 120 from the exhaust holes.
- FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of the battery module 100
- Fig. 3 shows a top view of the battery module 100
- Fig. 4 shows a bottom perspective view of the battery module 100
- Fig. 5 shows a bottom view of the battery module 100
- Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the battery module 100.
- the battery module 100 can include, for example, cell assemblies 110 each including a plurality of cylindrical battery cells 111, the accommodation case 120 for accommodating the cell assemblies 110, a circuit board 131 on which a control circuit for controlling charge/discharge of the plurality of battery cells 111 is formed, and a connector 132 as an external interface.
- the circuit board 131 is arranged on the cell assemblies 110, and is electrically connected to the cell assemblies 110 (the plurality of battery cells 111) and the connector 132 via a cable 133.
- the connector 132 is arranged in a connector housing 124 provided in the accommodation case 120.
- each cell assembly 110 includes the plurality of battery cells 111 arrayed with the cell axes directed in one direction, and a holding portion 112 that holds the plurality of battery cells 111.
- Fig. 6 shows an arrangement example of the battery module 100 in which a plurality (two) of cell assemblies 110a and 110b having the same shape are symmetrically accommodated in the accommodation case 120.
- Fig. 6 shows the left cell assembly 110a in a state in which the plurality of battery cells 111 are held by the holding portion 112, and the right cell assembly 110b in a state before the plurality of battery cells 111 are held by the holding portion 112.
- Each of the plurality of battery cells 111 has a columnar (cylindrical) shape, and the plurality of battery cells 111 are arrayed in a plurality of rows (ten rows) in the X direction and a plurality of stages (four stages) in the Z direction (second direction) while each cell axis (column axis) is directed in the Y direction (first direction).
- the direction in which the cell axis of each battery cell 111 is directed is the Y direction (horizontal direction), but it is not limited to the Y direction (horizontal direction) as long as the cell axes of the respective battery cells 111 are directed in the same direction. Note that in the following description, the direction in which the cell axes of the plurality of battery cells 111 are directed may be referred to as the "first direction".
- the holding portion 112 includes a pair of members (a first holding member 112a and a second holding member 112b) formed with a plurality of insertion ports 113 into which the plurality of battery cells 111 are respectively inserted.
- the first holding member 112a is located on the outer side of the holding portion 112 in the first direction (Y direction) (on the side of a peripheral space 142 to be described later), and the second holding member 112b is located on the inner side of the holding portion 112 in the first direction (on the side of the other cell assembly 110).
- the first holding member 112a and the second holding member 112b sandwich the plurality of battery cells 111 such that each battery cell 111 is inserted into each insertion port 113, and in this state, the first holding member 112a and the second holding member 112b are fixed to each other using fixing members such as screws.
- the holding portion 112 can hold the plurality of battery cells 111.
- the accommodation case 120 is configured to include two surfaces (for example, an upper surface and a lower surface) that sandwich the cell assemblies 110 in a direction different from the first direction (Y direction) in which the cell axis of each battery cell 111 is directed, more specifically, in the second direction (Z direction) which is a direction perpendicular to the first direction.
- the accommodation case 120 includes an upper member 121 including the upper surface and a lower member 122 including the lower surface.
- a handle member 123 is attached to an upper portion of the upper member 121 using fixing members such as screws. For example, as shown in Fig. 6 , screw holes 121g for attaching the handle member 123 are provided in the upper member 121.
- the plurality of cell assemblies 110 are inserted inside the lower member 122 and fixed thereto using fixing members such as screws. Then, the upper member 121 and the lower member 122 are stacked on each other and fixed to each other using fixing members such as screws. For example, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 , screw holes 122e for fixing the plurality of cell assemblies 110 are provided in the lower member 122.
- the handle member 123 (grip member) that is gripped by a user when carrying the battery module 100 is attached to the upper portion of the upper member 121.
- a partial region 121a in the upper portion of the upper member 121 is formed in a recess shape when viewed from the outside of the accommodation case 120.
- the handle member 123 is configured to cover a part (a partial region 121a-1) of the recess region 121a in the upper member 121, and is attached to the outer edge of the partial region 121a-1 by fixing members such as screws.
- the recess region 121a covered by the handle member 123 is provided with communication holes 121b that allow fluid to communicate between the outside and the inside of the accommodation case 120.
- the specific arrangement of the communication hole 121b will be described later in the second embodiment.
- suction holes 125 for taking a gas (air) for cooling the plurality of battery cells 111 into the accommodation case 120 and exhaust holes 126 for exhausting the gas having passed between the plurality of battery cells 111 are provided, as vent holes for gas, in the lower member 122 (the lower surface of the accommodation case 120). Since such the suction holes 125 and exhaust holes 126 are provided in the lower member 122, when the battery module 100 is attached to the motor device 11, the cooling fan 11b of the motor device 11 can draw the gas in the accommodation case 120 from the exhaust holes 126 of the accommodation case 120 so that the gas can be circulated in the accommodation case 120.
- both the suction holes 125 and the exhaust holes 126 may be provided in the upper surface (upper member 121) of the accommodation case 120, but it is preferable to provide them in the lower surface (lower member 122) of the accommodation case 120 in terms of preventing rain and the like from entering the inside of the accommodation case 120.
- FIG. 7 is a view of the lower member 122 of the accommodation case 120 when viewed from above (+Z direction).
- Fig. 7 is a view of the lower member 122 when viewed from above in a state in which the cell assemblies 110a and 110b are not accommodated.
- Fig. 8 is a view of the lower member 122 when viewed from above in a state in which the cell assemblies 110a and 110b are accommodated.
- Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a region R1 in Fig. 8 when viewed from obliquely above as indicated by an arrow B.
- the accommodation case 120 is configured to include an accommodation space 141 in which the cell assembly 110 is to be accommodated (arranged), and the peripheral space 142 located on the side of the cell assembly 110 in the first direction (Y direction).
- the suction holes 125 are provided in a surface included in the lower surface of the accommodation case 120 and defining the peripheral space 142
- the exhaust holes 126 are provided in a surface included in the lower surface of the accommodation case 120 and defining the accommodation space 141.
- the lower surface of the accommodation case 120 can include a mounting surface 122a, as the surface defining the accommodation space 141, on which the cell assembly 110 is mounted, and an inclined surface 122b, as the surface defining the peripheral space 142, which is inclined with respect to the mounting surface 122a on the side of the mounting surface 122a in the first direction.
- a plurality of the exhaust holes 126 arrayed along the X direction are provided in the mounting surface 122a, and a plurality of the suction holes 125 arrayed along the X direction are provided in the inclined surface 122b.
- the accommodation case 120 includes, in the peripheral space 142, a plurality of ribs 127 each extending in the second direction (Z direction) which is the array direction (stacking direction) of the plurality of battery cells 111.
- the plurality of ribs 127 can be provided to reinforce the accommodation case 120, but in this embodiment, they are arranged as baffle plates for guiding the gas taken into the peripheral space 142 from the suction holes 125 to the second direction (Z direction).
- each of the plurality of ribs 127 is connected to a side surface 122c, that connects the upper surface and the lower surface of the accommodation case 120, and the lower surface (inclined surface 122b) of the accommodation case 120, and has a plate shape parallel to the first direction (Y direction) and the second direction (Z direction). Further, the plurality of ribs 127 are provided so as to be spaced apart from each other along the X direction such that at least one suction hole 125 is arranged therebetween.
- the gas taken into the peripheral space 142 from the plurality of suction holes 125 can be efficiently guided to the second direction, so that the plurality of battery cells 111 in the cell assembly 110 can be efficiently cooled.
- the device arrangement can be simplified and the device cost can be decreased.
- Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the Y-Z section (the section taken along A - A in Figs. 3 and 5 ) of the battery module 100.
- the flow of the gas is indicated by arrows, and the size of the arrow represents the flow rate of the gas.
- the circuit board 131 is arranged on the cell assemblies 110a and 110b as described above, but the circuit board 131 is not shown in Fig. 10 for clarity.
- Fig. 11 is a view showing a state in which the cell assembly 110 (110a) is separated from the lower member 122 of the accommodation case 120 when viewed from obliquely below on the peripheral space 142 side.
- the gas taken into the peripheral space 142 from the plurality of suction holes 125 is guided to the second direction (+Z direction) toward the upper surface by the plurality of ribs 127 serving as the baffle plates.
- the gas guided by the plurality of ribs 127 in the peripheral space 142 is guided to gaps between the plurality of battery cells 111 (into the accommodation space 141) via a plurality of openings 114 formed in the first holding member 112a of the cell assembly 110, and exhausted from the plurality of exhaust holes 126.
- the suction holes 125 and the exhaust holes 126 are provided in the lower surface of the accommodation case 120 and airflows in opposite directions are generated in the accommodation space 141 and the peripheral space 142.
- the plurality of battery cells 111 arrayed in the accommodation space 141 can be efficiently cooled.
- the plurality of openings 114 formed in the first holding member 112a include a plurality of first openings 114a and a plurality of second openings 114b.
- the plurality of first openings 114a can be provided on the downstream side of the gas in the peripheral space 142, specifically, above the plurality of battery cells 111 (the plurality of insertion holes 113), more specifically, above the top battery cells 111.
- the plurality of second openings 114b can be provided on the upstream side of the gas in the peripheral space 142, specifically, between the plurality of battery cells 111. Note that each of the plurality of second openings 114b is formed smaller than each of the plurality of first openings 114a.
- the plurality of battery cells 111 can be efficiently cooled.
- the plurality of openings 114 (the first openings 114a and the second openings 114b) may be formed in the second holding member 112b arranged on the inner side in the battery module 100, as in the first holding member 112a. In this case, as shown in Fig.
- the battery module 100 configured as described above may be placed on a floor, a shelf, or the like in a state in which it is detached from the working machine 1 (motor device 11), that is, stand alone.
- a foreign substance for example, a wire or a screw
- the battery cell 111 in the accommodation case 120 can be damaged. Therefore, the battery module 100 of this embodiment takes measures to reduce entry of foreign substances from the suction holes 125 and the exhaust holes 126 formed in the accommodation case 120.
- guard members 128 for reducing entry of foreign substances from the suction holes 125 are provided in the accommodation case 120.
- each guard member 128 extends in the longitudinal direction of the suction hole 125 and is provided inside the accommodation case 120 with respect to the suction hole 125. That is, the guard member 128 is a member that covers the suction hole 125 so as not to block the suction hole 125 in the inside of the accommodation case 120.
- a guard member 129 for the exhaust hole 126 is provided in the accommodation case 120 so that a labyrinth structure can be formed.
- some exhaust holes 126a are not provided with the guide members 129, and a connecting portion 112c between the first holding member 112a and the second holding member 112b in the cell assembly 110 has the role (function) of the guard member 129.
- the plurality of exhaust holes 126 include the exhaust holes 126a each of which is covered by the connecting portion 112c between the first holding member 112a and the second holding member 112b so as not to block the suction hole 125 in the inside of the accommodation case 120 so that the flow path is formed in the labyrinth structure.
- the connecting portion 112c is a member provided in at least one of the first holding member 112a and the second holding member 112b and used to connect them.
- the connecting portion 112c can be configured to include, for example, a screw hole or the like so that a fixing member (such as a screw) for fixing the first holding member 112a and the second holding member 112b to each other can be inserted.
- the connecting portions 112c can be provided at several positions in the upper portion and the lower portion of the holding portion 112 so that, for example, the gas having passed between the plurality of battery cells 111 can be efficiently exhausted from the exhaust holes 126 of the accommodation case 120.
- the connecting portions 112c are provided at three positions in each of the upper end and the lower end of the holding portion 112.
- Fig. 12 is a Z-X sectional view (a sectional view taken along a line C - C in Figs. 3 and 5 ) of the battery module 100, that is, a Z-X sectional view of the cell assembly 110a at an intermediate position between the first holding member 112a and the second holding member 112b.
- Fig. 12 also shows an enlarged view of the lower portion (a region R2) of the battery module 100.
- the exhaust hole 126 above which no connecting portion 112c of the holding portion 112 is arranged is provided with the guard member 129 inside the accommodation case 120, so that the flow path passing through the exhaust hole 126 is formed in the labyrinth structure.
- the exhaust hole 126a above which the connecting portion 112c is arranged is provided with no guard member 129 but covered by the connecting portion 112c, so that the flow path passing through the exhaust hole 126a is formed in the labyrinth structure.
- the connecting portion 112c is preferably configured to have a planar shape 112e in which the surface on the exhaust hole 126a side has a larger area than the exhaust hole 126a. This can improve the function of preventing a foreign substance from entering through the exhaust hole 126a by the connecting portion 112c.
- the connecting portion 112c is preferably configured to cover a plurality of the exhaust holes 126a, that is, to be arranged above the plurality of the exhaust holes 126a. In the example shown in Fig. 12 , one connecting portion 112c is configured to cover two exhaust holes 126a adjacent to each other. This can further simplify the battery module 100. Further, as shown in the enlarged view in Fig.
- the connecting portion 112c is preferably configured to include, at a position facing a portion between the plurality of the exhaust holes 126a in the accommodation case 120, a convex portion 112d protruding toward the portion.
- a convex portion 112d protruding toward the portion.
- the flow path passing through the vent hole (exhaust hole 126a) of the accommodation case 120 is formed in the labyrinth structure by covering the vent hole by the connecting portion 112c of the holding portion 112.
- the battery module 100 described above may be placed on a floor, a shelf, or the like by a user in an arbitrary posture or orientation in a state in which it is detached from the working machine 1 (motor device 11) (that is, stand alone).
- the battery module 100 may be placed such that the lower surface formed with the vent holes (suction holes 125 and exhaust holes 126) faces upward.
- communication holes 121b for draining water having entered the inside of an accommodation case 120 are formed in an upper member 121 (a surface opposite to the surface formed with the vent holes) of the accommodation case 120. Note that this embodiment basically takes over the arrangement of the battery module 100 of the first embodiment, unless otherwise specified.
- the communication hole 121b is a hole that allows fluid to communicate between the inside and the outside of the accommodation case 120 and, as shown in Fig. 6 , is provided in a recess partial region 121a-1 covered by a handle member 123 in the upper member 121 of the accommodation case 120. More specifically, the communication hole 121b is provided in a side surface (inclined surface) of the recess partial region 121a-1.
- the communication hole 121b is provided in the side surface (inclined surface 121a-2) of the recess partial region 121a-1, when the battery module 100 is placed upside down (that is, such that the lower surface formed with the vent holes faces upward), the communication hole 121b is located lower as compared with a case in which the communication hole 121b is provided in the bottom surface of the recess partial region 121a-1. Accordingly, it is possible to further suppress accumulation of water in the accommodation case 120. Since the communication hole 121b is covered by the handle member 123, it is possible to prevent rain and the like from entering the inside of the accommodation case 120 through the communication hole 121b in a normal posture. Note that the normal posture is the posture of the battery module 100 in which the lower surface provided with the vent holes is directed downward, such as a case in which it is attached to a motor device 11 or the like.
- the flow path passing through the communication hole 121b may be formed in a labyrinth structure.
- a protruding portion 121c protruding upward (+Z direction) is provided in a recess region 121a (more specifically, the partial region 121a-1) in the upper member 121, and the communication hole 121b is formed in the center of the protruding portion 121c.
- the handle member 123 is configured so as to cover the protruding portion 121c and such that a gap G between the handle member 123 and the upper member 121 is formed lower than the distal end of the protruding portion 121c. That is, the flow path direction different from the flow path direction of the communication hole 121b is formed by the gap G, so that the flow path communicating from the communication hole 121b to the outside can be formed in the labyrinth structure.
- the accommodation case 120 of this embodiment includes the communication holes 121b in the recess partial region 121a-1 covered by the handle member 123.
- the water can be drained through the communication holes 121b.
- a communication hole 121d (second communication hole) for draining water from the inside of the accommodation case 120 is provided in a connector housing 124.
- Fig. 13 is a view of an upper member 121 of the accommodation case 120 when viewed from the inside (-Z direction side).
- Fig. 13 also shows an enlarged perspective view of the connector housing 124 (a region R3) in the upper member 121.
- the upper member 121 is provided with screw holes 121h for fixing it to a lower member 122 by fixing members (such as screws). Note that this embodiment basically takes over the arrangement of the battery module 100 of each of the first and second embodiments, unless otherwise specified.
- the accommodation case 120 is configured to define (divide) a cell accommodation space (an accommodation space 141 and a peripheral space 142) in which a cell assembly 110 is to be accommodated and a terminal accommodation space (the internal space of the connector housing 124) in which a connector 132 (terminal) as an external interface that performs charge and discharge of the plurality of battery cells 111 is to be accommodated.
- the communication hole 121d for draining water from the inside of the accommodation case is formed in a partition wall 120a for partitioning the cell accommodation space and the terminal accommodation space, that is, a side wall between the cell accommodation space and the terminal accommodation space.
- an opening 122d for allowing a cable 133 connected to the connector 132 to pass therethrough is formed in the lower member 122 of the accommodation case 120 as shown in Figs. 7 and 8
- the communication hole 121d is formed in the upper member 121 of the accommodation case 120 as shown in Fig. 13 . That is, the opening 122d for allowing the cable 133 to pass therethrough and the communication hole 121d are formed at positions spaced apart from each other in the partition wall 120a.
- the upper member 121 in the connector housing 124 is provided with ribs 121e for fixing the position of the connector 132 in the connector housing 124.
- Each rib 121e is formed with a notch 121f for allowing water coming out of the cell accommodation space via the communication hole 121d to pass therethrough.
- the opening through which the cable passes and the second communication hole are formed in different members, so that it is possible to reduce the influence, on the terminal and the cable, of water drained from the cell accommodation space to the terminal accommodation space via the second communication hole, and the accommodation case can be manufactured more easily.
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Biophysics (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Battery Mounting, Suspending (AREA)
- Gas Exhaust Devices For Batteries (AREA)
- Secondary Cells (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a battery module, an electric power unit, and a working machine.
-
PTL 1 discloses an arrangement of a battery pack with a plurality of cells arranged therein, in which an outer case is provided with a suction port and an exhaust port, and a ventilation passage is formed where cooling air entering from the suction port passes around and/or between the plurality of cells and is exhausted from the exhaust port. - PTL 1:
Japanese Patent No. 3742261 - The battery pack may be placed on a floor, a shelf, or the like in a state in which it is detached from a charger or a power tool. In such a case, a foreign substance may enter from the suction port or the exhaust port. The arrangement described in
PTL 1 takes no measure to prevent entry of the foreign substance. - Therefore, the present invention has as its object to provide a battery module advantageous in reducing entry of foreign substances to the inside with a simple arrangement.
- A battery module as an aspect of the present invention comprises a cell assembly formed by sandwiching a plurality of battery cells by a pair of holding members; and an accommodation case configured to accommodate the cell assembly, wherein the accommodation case includes a vent hole for gas, and a flow path passing through the vent hole is formed in a labyrinth structure by covering the vent hole by a connecting portion between the pair of holding members.
- According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery module advantageous in reducing entry of foreign substances to the inside with a simple arrangement.
- The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain principles of the invention.
-
Fig. 1 is a view showing an arrangement example of a working machine; -
Fig. 2 is an external view (top perspective view) of a battery module; -
Fig. 3 is an external view (top view) of the battery module; -
Fig. 4 is an external view (bottom perspective view) of the battery module; -
Fig. 5 is an external view (bottom view) of the battery module; -
Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the battery module; -
Fig. 7 is a view of a lower member of an accommodation case when viewed from above (a state in which cell assemblies are not accommodated); -
Fig. 8 is a view of the lower member of the accommodation case when viewed from above (a state in which the cell assemblies are accommodated); -
Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a region R1 inFig. 8 ; -
Fig. 10 is a view showing the flow of a gas in the accommodation case; -
Fig. 11 is a view showing the cell assembly and the lower member of the accommodation case; -
Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the battery module in an intermediate position between a first holding member and a second holding member; and -
Fig. 13 is a view of an upper member of the accommodation case when viewed from inside. - Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the drawings are schematic views showing a structure or an arrangement according to the embodiment, and the dimensions of members shown in the drawings do not necessarily reflect real dimensions. The same reference numerals denote the same elements in the drawing, and a description of repetitive contents will be omitted in this specification. In each of the following drawings, the directions orthogonal to each other on a plane parallel to the horizontal direction are the X direction and the Y direction, and the direction parallel to the vertical direction is the Z direction.
- A working
machine 1 of the first embodiment according to the present invention will be described.Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing an arrangement example of theworking machine 1. The workingmachine 1 of this embodiment is a working machine (electric working machine) including anelectric power unit 10 that includes abattery module 100 and amotor device 11. Examples of theworking machine 1 include a plate compactor, a rammer, a lawn mower, a cultivator, and a snow remover, andFig. 1 illustrates a plate compactor. Theworking machine 1 includes, for example, theelectric power unit 10, a working unit 20 (working mechanism), apower transmission mechanism 30, and asteering handle 40. The workingunit 20 is a unit for performing predetermined work, and in this embodiment, it is a unit that performs rolling compaction work to compact the ground. - The
electric power unit 10 includes, for example, thebattery module 100 and themotor device 11. Thebattery module 100 is a storage battery including a plurality of battery cells, and can be configured to be attachable/detachable to/from themotor device 11. The specific arrangement of thebattery module 100 will be described later. Themotor device 11 can include amotor 11a that is operated by electric power from thebattery module 100, and a control unit (not shown) that controls driving of the motor. The control unit can be a PDU (Power Drive Unit), but may be configured to include a processor represented by a CPU, a storage device such as a semiconductor memory, an interface with an external device, and the like. - The
motor device 11 is provided with acooling fan 11b as an exhaust unit for exhausting the gas in anaccommodation case 120 from exhaust holes formed in theaccommodation case 120 of thebattery module 100. Thecooling fan 11b may also be used for cooling themotor 11a, or may be provided separately from a component for cooling themotor 11a. In this embodiment, thecooling fan 11b is rotatably attached to the shaft member of themotor 11a, and configured to rotate together with the shaft member of themotor 11a, thereby drawing the gas in theaccommodation case 120 of thebattery module 100 and exhausting the gas in theaccommodation case 120 from the exhaust holes. - Next, the arrangement of the
battery module 100 of this embodiment will be described. Each ofFigs. 2 to 5 is an external view of thebattery module 100.Fig. 2 shows a top perspective view of thebattery module 100,Fig. 3 shows a top view of thebattery module 100,Fig. 4 shows a bottom perspective view of thebattery module 100, andFig. 5 shows a bottom view of thebattery module 100.Fig. 6 is an exploded view of thebattery module 100. - As shown in
Fig. 6 , thebattery module 100 can include, for example, cell assemblies 110 each including a plurality ofcylindrical battery cells 111, theaccommodation case 120 for accommodating the cell assemblies 110, acircuit board 131 on which a control circuit for controlling charge/discharge of the plurality ofbattery cells 111 is formed, and aconnector 132 as an external interface. Thecircuit board 131 is arranged on the cell assemblies 110, and is electrically connected to the cell assemblies 110 (the plurality of battery cells 111) and theconnector 132 via acable 133. Theconnector 132 is arranged in aconnector housing 124 provided in theaccommodation case 120. - As shown in
Fig. 6 , each cell assembly 110 includes the plurality ofbattery cells 111 arrayed with the cell axes directed in one direction, and aholding portion 112 that holds the plurality ofbattery cells 111.Fig. 6 shows an arrangement example of thebattery module 100 in which a plurality (two) ofcell assemblies accommodation case 120.Fig. 6 shows theleft cell assembly 110a in a state in which the plurality ofbattery cells 111 are held by theholding portion 112, and theright cell assembly 110b in a state before the plurality ofbattery cells 111 are held by theholding portion 112. - Each of the plurality of
battery cells 111 has a columnar (cylindrical) shape, and the plurality ofbattery cells 111 are arrayed in a plurality of rows (ten rows) in the X direction and a plurality of stages (four stages) in the Z direction (second direction) while each cell axis (column axis) is directed in the Y direction (first direction). In this embodiment, the direction in which the cell axis of eachbattery cell 111 is directed is the Y direction (horizontal direction), but it is not limited to the Y direction (horizontal direction) as long as the cell axes of therespective battery cells 111 are directed in the same direction. Note that in the following description, the direction in which the cell axes of the plurality ofbattery cells 111 are directed may be referred to as the "first direction". - The
holding portion 112 includes a pair of members (afirst holding member 112a and asecond holding member 112b) formed with a plurality ofinsertion ports 113 into which the plurality ofbattery cells 111 are respectively inserted. Thefirst holding member 112a is located on the outer side of theholding portion 112 in the first direction (Y direction) (on the side of aperipheral space 142 to be described later), and thesecond holding member 112b is located on the inner side of theholding portion 112 in the first direction (on the side of the other cell assembly 110). In the first direction (Y direction) in which the cell axis of eachbattery cell 111 is directed, the first holdingmember 112a and the second holdingmember 112b sandwich the plurality ofbattery cells 111 such that eachbattery cell 111 is inserted into eachinsertion port 113, and in this state, the first holdingmember 112a and the second holdingmember 112b are fixed to each other using fixing members such as screws. Thus, the holdingportion 112 can hold the plurality ofbattery cells 111. - The
accommodation case 120 is configured to include two surfaces (for example, an upper surface and a lower surface) that sandwich the cell assemblies 110 in a direction different from the first direction (Y direction) in which the cell axis of eachbattery cell 111 is directed, more specifically, in the second direction (Z direction) which is a direction perpendicular to the first direction. In this embodiment, as shown inFigs. 2 to 6 , theaccommodation case 120 includes anupper member 121 including the upper surface and alower member 122 including the lower surface. Ahandle member 123 is attached to an upper portion of theupper member 121 using fixing members such as screws. For example, as shown inFig. 6 , screwholes 121g for attaching thehandle member 123 are provided in theupper member 121. The plurality of cell assemblies 110 are inserted inside thelower member 122 and fixed thereto using fixing members such as screws. Then, theupper member 121 and thelower member 122 are stacked on each other and fixed to each other using fixing members such as screws. For example, as shown inFigs. 4 and5 , screwholes 122e for fixing the plurality of cell assemblies 110 are provided in thelower member 122. - The handle member 123 (grip member) that is gripped by a user when carrying the
battery module 100 is attached to the upper portion of theupper member 121. In this embodiment, apartial region 121a in the upper portion of theupper member 121 is formed in a recess shape when viewed from the outside of theaccommodation case 120. Thehandle member 123 is configured to cover a part (apartial region 121a-1) of therecess region 121a in theupper member 121, and is attached to the outer edge of thepartial region 121a-1 by fixing members such as screws. Further, in order to drain water and the like having entered the inside of theaccommodation case 120, therecess region 121a covered by thehandle member 123 is provided withcommunication holes 121b that allow fluid to communicate between the outside and the inside of theaccommodation case 120. The specific arrangement of thecommunication hole 121b will be described later in the second embodiment. - As shown in
Figs. 4 and5 , suction holes 125 for taking a gas (air) for cooling the plurality ofbattery cells 111 into theaccommodation case 120 andexhaust holes 126 for exhausting the gas having passed between the plurality ofbattery cells 111 are provided, as vent holes for gas, in the lower member 122 (the lower surface of the accommodation case 120). Since such the suction holes 125 andexhaust holes 126 are provided in thelower member 122, when thebattery module 100 is attached to themotor device 11, the coolingfan 11b of themotor device 11 can draw the gas in theaccommodation case 120 from the exhaust holes 126 of theaccommodation case 120 so that the gas can be circulated in theaccommodation case 120. Here, both the suction holes 125 and the exhaust holes 126 may be provided in the upper surface (upper member 121) of theaccommodation case 120, but it is preferable to provide them in the lower surface (lower member 122) of theaccommodation case 120 in terms of preventing rain and the like from entering the inside of theaccommodation case 120. - Each of
Figs. 7 and8 is a view of thelower member 122 of theaccommodation case 120 when viewed from above (+Z direction).Fig. 7 is a view of thelower member 122 when viewed from above in a state in which thecell assemblies Fig. 8 is a view of thelower member 122 when viewed from above in a state in which thecell assemblies Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a region R1 inFig. 8 when viewed from obliquely above as indicated by an arrow B. - The
accommodation case 120 is configured to include anaccommodation space 141 in which the cell assembly 110 is to be accommodated (arranged), and theperipheral space 142 located on the side of the cell assembly 110 in the first direction (Y direction). The suction holes 125 are provided in a surface included in the lower surface of theaccommodation case 120 and defining theperipheral space 142, and the exhaust holes 126 are provided in a surface included in the lower surface of theaccommodation case 120 and defining theaccommodation space 141. More specifically, the lower surface of the accommodation case 120 (lower member 122) can include a mountingsurface 122a, as the surface defining theaccommodation space 141, on which the cell assembly 110 is mounted, and aninclined surface 122b, as the surface defining theperipheral space 142, which is inclined with respect to the mountingsurface 122a on the side of the mountingsurface 122a in the first direction. A plurality of the exhaust holes 126 arrayed along the X direction are provided in the mountingsurface 122a, and a plurality of the suction holes 125 arrayed along the X direction are provided in theinclined surface 122b. - Further, as shown in
Figs. 6 to 9 , theaccommodation case 120 includes, in theperipheral space 142, a plurality ofribs 127 each extending in the second direction (Z direction) which is the array direction (stacking direction) of the plurality ofbattery cells 111. The plurality ofribs 127 can be provided to reinforce theaccommodation case 120, but in this embodiment, they are arranged as baffle plates for guiding the gas taken into theperipheral space 142 from the suction holes 125 to the second direction (Z direction). For example, each of the plurality ofribs 127 is connected to aside surface 122c, that connects the upper surface and the lower surface of theaccommodation case 120, and the lower surface (inclined surface 122b) of theaccommodation case 120, and has a plate shape parallel to the first direction (Y direction) and the second direction (Z direction). Further, the plurality ofribs 127 are provided so as to be spaced apart from each other along the X direction such that at least onesuction hole 125 is arranged therebetween. - By arranging the plurality of
ribs 127 as baffle plates as described above, the gas taken into theperipheral space 142 from the plurality of suction holes 125 can be efficiently guided to the second direction, so that the plurality ofbattery cells 111 in the cell assembly 110 can be efficiently cooled. In addition, since the number of parts of thebattery module 100 is reduced by making the plurality ofribs 127 function as the baffle plates, the device arrangement can be simplified and the device cost can be decreased. - Next, the flow of the gas in the
accommodation case 120 will be described.Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the Y-Z section (the section taken along A - A inFigs. 3 and5 ) of thebattery module 100. InFig 10 , the flow of the gas is indicated by arrows, and the size of the arrow represents the flow rate of the gas. Note that in theactual battery module 100, thecircuit board 131 is arranged on thecell assemblies circuit board 131 is not shown inFig. 10 for clarity.Fig. 11 is a view showing a state in which the cell assembly 110 (110a) is separated from thelower member 122 of theaccommodation case 120 when viewed from obliquely below on theperipheral space 142 side. - The gas taken into the
peripheral space 142 from the plurality of suction holes 125 is guided to the second direction (+Z direction) toward the upper surface by the plurality ofribs 127 serving as the baffle plates. The gas guided by the plurality ofribs 127 in theperipheral space 142 is guided to gaps between the plurality of battery cells 111 (into the accommodation space 141) via a plurality ofopenings 114 formed in the first holdingmember 112a of the cell assembly 110, and exhausted from the plurality of exhaust holes 126. In this manner, in thebattery module 100 of this embodiment, the suction holes 125 and the exhaust holes 126 are provided in the lower surface of theaccommodation case 120 and airflows in opposite directions are generated in theaccommodation space 141 and theperipheral space 142. Thus, the plurality ofbattery cells 111 arrayed in theaccommodation space 141 can be efficiently cooled. - In this embodiment, as shown in
Figs. 6 and11 , the plurality ofopenings 114 formed in the first holdingmember 112a include a plurality offirst openings 114a and a plurality ofsecond openings 114b. The plurality offirst openings 114a can be provided on the downstream side of the gas in theperipheral space 142, specifically, above the plurality of battery cells 111 (the plurality of insertion holes 113), more specifically, above thetop battery cells 111. Further, the plurality ofsecond openings 114b can be provided on the upstream side of the gas in theperipheral space 142, specifically, between the plurality ofbattery cells 111. Note that each of the plurality ofsecond openings 114b is formed smaller than each of the plurality offirst openings 114a. By providing the plurality offirst openings 114a and the plurality ofsecond openings 114b in the first holdingmember 112a as described above, the plurality ofbattery cells 111 can be efficiently cooled. Here, in each of the cell assemblies 100a and 100b, the plurality of openings 114 (thefirst openings 114a and thesecond openings 114b) may be formed in the second holdingmember 112b arranged on the inner side in thebattery module 100, as in the first holdingmember 112a. In this case, as shown inFig. 10 , it is also possible to guide the gas to a gap between the plurality ofcell assemblies first openings 114a of the second holdingmember 112b, and further guide the gas from thesecond openings 114b of the second holdingmember 112b to gaps between the plurality ofbattery cells 111. This can further improve the cooling efficiency of thebattery cells 111 of the plurality ofcell assemblies - The
battery module 100 configured as described above may be placed on a floor, a shelf, or the like in a state in which it is detached from the working machine 1 (motor device 11), that is, stand alone. In this case, if a foreign substance (for example, a wire or a screw) on the floor or shelf enters from the vent hole (suction hole 125 or exhaust hole 126) of theaccommodation case 120, thebattery cell 111 in theaccommodation case 120 can be damaged. Therefore, thebattery module 100 of this embodiment takes measures to reduce entry of foreign substances from the suction holes 125 and the exhaust holes 126 formed in theaccommodation case 120. - As a specific arrangement,
guard members 128 for reducing entry of foreign substances from the suction holes 125 are provided in theaccommodation case 120. As shown inFig. 9 , eachguard member 128 extends in the longitudinal direction of thesuction hole 125 and is provided inside theaccommodation case 120 with respect to thesuction hole 125. That is, theguard member 128 is a member that covers thesuction hole 125 so as not to block thesuction hole 125 in the inside of theaccommodation case 120. By providing theguard member 128 to thesuction hole 125 in this manner, the flow path that passes through thesuction hole 125 can be formed in a labyrinth structure, so that it is possible to reduce entry of foreign substances such as wires into theaccommodation case 120 from thesuction hole 125. - Similar to the
suction hole 125, aguard member 129 for theexhaust hole 126 is provided in theaccommodation case 120 so that a labyrinth structure can be formed. However, someexhaust holes 126a are not provided with theguide members 129, and a connectingportion 112c between the first holdingmember 112a and the second holdingmember 112b in the cell assembly 110 has the role (function) of theguard member 129. With this arrangement, the battery module 100 (accommodation case 120) can be simplified and miniaturized. That is, as shown inFigs. 11 and12 , the plurality ofexhaust holes 126 include theexhaust holes 126a each of which is covered by the connectingportion 112c between the first holdingmember 112a and the second holdingmember 112b so as not to block thesuction hole 125 in the inside of theaccommodation case 120 so that the flow path is formed in the labyrinth structure. - Here, the connecting
portion 112c is a member provided in at least one of the first holdingmember 112a and the second holdingmember 112b and used to connect them. The connectingportion 112c can be configured to include, for example, a screw hole or the like so that a fixing member (such as a screw) for fixing the first holdingmember 112a and the second holdingmember 112b to each other can be inserted. Further, the connectingportions 112c can be provided at several positions in the upper portion and the lower portion of the holdingportion 112 so that, for example, the gas having passed between the plurality ofbattery cells 111 can be efficiently exhausted from the exhaust holes 126 of theaccommodation case 120. In this embodiment, the connectingportions 112c are provided at three positions in each of the upper end and the lower end of the holdingportion 112. -
Fig. 12 is a Z-X sectional view (a sectional view taken along a line C - C inFigs. 3 and5 ) of thebattery module 100, that is, a Z-X sectional view of thecell assembly 110a at an intermediate position between the first holdingmember 112a and the second holdingmember 112b.Fig. 12 also shows an enlarged view of the lower portion (a region R2) of thebattery module 100. - As shown in
Fig. 12 , theexhaust hole 126 above which no connectingportion 112c of the holdingportion 112 is arranged is provided with theguard member 129 inside theaccommodation case 120, so that the flow path passing through theexhaust hole 126 is formed in the labyrinth structure. On the other hand, theexhaust hole 126a above which the connectingportion 112c is arranged is provided with noguard member 129 but covered by the connectingportion 112c, so that the flow path passing through theexhaust hole 126a is formed in the labyrinth structure. With this arrangement, it can be avoided that theguard member 129 and the connectingportion 112c are overlapped with each other above theexhaust hole 126a, so that the battery module 100 (accommodation case 120) can be simplified and miniaturized. Consequently, this leads to a decrease in device cost such as a reduction in material cost. - In this embodiment, the connecting
portion 112c is preferably configured to have aplanar shape 112e in which the surface on theexhaust hole 126a side has a larger area than theexhaust hole 126a. This can improve the function of preventing a foreign substance from entering through theexhaust hole 126a by the connectingportion 112c. In addition, the connectingportion 112c is preferably configured to cover a plurality of theexhaust holes 126a, that is, to be arranged above the plurality of theexhaust holes 126a. In the example shown inFig. 12 , one connectingportion 112c is configured to cover twoexhaust holes 126a adjacent to each other. This can further simplify thebattery module 100. Further, as shown in the enlarged view inFig. 12 , the connectingportion 112c is preferably configured to include, at a position facing a portion between the plurality of theexhaust holes 126a in theaccommodation case 120, aconvex portion 112d protruding toward the portion. With this arrangement, it is possible to bring the connectingportion 112c closer to theexhaust hole 126a, and restrict the entry path of foreign substances from theexhaust hole 126a. For example, in the example shown in the enlarged view inFig. 12 , the entry path of foreign substances from theexhaust hole 126a is restricted to one of the +X direction and the -X direction, so that the effect of reducing entry of foreign substances can be improved. - As has been described above, in the
battery module 100 of this embodiment, the flow path passing through the vent hole (exhaust hole 126a) of theaccommodation case 120 is formed in the labyrinth structure by covering the vent hole by the connectingportion 112c of the holdingportion 112. With this arrangement, the battery module 100 (accommodation case 120) can be simplified, and a decrease in device cost such as a reduction in material cost can be implemented. - The
battery module 100 described above may be placed on a floor, a shelf, or the like by a user in an arbitrary posture or orientation in a state in which it is detached from the working machine 1 (motor device 11) (that is, stand alone). For example, thebattery module 100 may be placed such that the lower surface formed with the vent holes (suction holes 125 and exhaust holes 126) faces upward. In this case, if water enters from the vent hole, it is accumulated inside theaccommodation case 120. Therefore, in abattery module 100 of this embodiment, communication holes 121b for draining water having entered the inside of anaccommodation case 120 are formed in an upper member 121 (a surface opposite to the surface formed with the vent holes) of theaccommodation case 120. Note that this embodiment basically takes over the arrangement of thebattery module 100 of the first embodiment, unless otherwise specified. - The
communication hole 121b is a hole that allows fluid to communicate between the inside and the outside of theaccommodation case 120 and, as shown inFig. 6 , is provided in a recesspartial region 121a-1 covered by ahandle member 123 in theupper member 121 of theaccommodation case 120. More specifically, thecommunication hole 121b is provided in a side surface (inclined surface) of the recesspartial region 121a-1. By providing thecommunication hole 121b as described above, even when thebattery module 100 is placed upside down (that is, such that the lower surface formed with the vent holes faces upward), water having entered theaccommodation case 120 can be drained through thecommunication hole 121b. In addition, since thecommunication hole 121b is provided in the side surface (inclined surface 121a-2) of the recesspartial region 121a-1, when thebattery module 100 is placed upside down (that is, such that the lower surface formed with the vent holes faces upward), thecommunication hole 121b is located lower as compared with a case in which thecommunication hole 121b is provided in the bottom surface of the recesspartial region 121a-1. Accordingly, it is possible to further suppress accumulation of water in theaccommodation case 120. Since thecommunication hole 121b is covered by thehandle member 123, it is possible to prevent rain and the like from entering the inside of theaccommodation case 120 through thecommunication hole 121b in a normal posture. Note that the normal posture is the posture of thebattery module 100 in which the lower surface provided with the vent holes is directed downward, such as a case in which it is attached to amotor device 11 or the like. - Further, in order to further prevent rain and the like from entering the inside of the
accommodation case 120 from thecommunication hole 121b in the normal posture, the flow path passing through thecommunication hole 121b may be formed in a labyrinth structure. For example, as shown inFig. 10 , a protrudingportion 121c protruding upward (+Z direction) is provided in arecess region 121a (more specifically, thepartial region 121a-1) in theupper member 121, and thecommunication hole 121b is formed in the center of the protrudingportion 121c. Then, thehandle member 123 is configured so as to cover the protrudingportion 121c and such that a gap G between thehandle member 123 and theupper member 121 is formed lower than the distal end of the protrudingportion 121c. That is, the flow path direction different from the flow path direction of thecommunication hole 121b is formed by the gap G, so that the flow path communicating from thecommunication hole 121b to the outside can be formed in the labyrinth structure. - As has been described above, the
accommodation case 120 of this embodiment includes the communication holes 121b in the recesspartial region 121a-1 covered by thehandle member 123. Thus, even if thebattery module 100 is placed upside down and water enters theaccommodation case 120, the water can be drained through the communication holes 121b. - In the third embodiment, an example will be described in which a
communication hole 121d (second communication hole) for draining water from the inside of theaccommodation case 120 is provided in aconnector housing 124.Fig. 13 is a view of anupper member 121 of theaccommodation case 120 when viewed from the inside (-Z direction side).Fig. 13 also shows an enlarged perspective view of the connector housing 124 (a region R3) in theupper member 121. As shown inFig. 13 , theupper member 121 is provided withscrew holes 121h for fixing it to alower member 122 by fixing members (such as screws). Note that this embodiment basically takes over the arrangement of thebattery module 100 of each of the first and second embodiments, unless otherwise specified. - The
accommodation case 120 is configured to define (divide) a cell accommodation space (anaccommodation space 141 and a peripheral space 142) in which a cell assembly 110 is to be accommodated and a terminal accommodation space (the internal space of the connector housing 124) in which a connector 132 (terminal) as an external interface that performs charge and discharge of the plurality ofbattery cells 111 is to be accommodated. Thecommunication hole 121d for draining water from the inside of the accommodation case is formed in apartition wall 120a for partitioning the cell accommodation space and the terminal accommodation space, that is, a side wall between the cell accommodation space and the terminal accommodation space. In this embodiment, anopening 122d for allowing acable 133 connected to theconnector 132 to pass therethrough is formed in thelower member 122 of theaccommodation case 120 as shown inFigs. 7 and8 , and thecommunication hole 121d is formed in theupper member 121 of theaccommodation case 120 as shown inFig. 13 . That is, theopening 122d for allowing thecable 133 to pass therethrough and thecommunication hole 121d are formed at positions spaced apart from each other in thepartition wall 120a. With this arrangement, even when thebattery module 100 is placed upside down (in a state in which theupper member 121 of theaccommodation case 120 faces downward), water having entered the accommodation case 120 (for example, water that is easily accumulated outside a recesspartial region 121a-1) can be efficiently drained from theaccommodation case 120 via thecommunication hole 121d. In addition, by providing thecommunication hole 121d in thepartition wall 120a so as to be narrower than theopening 122d, it is possible to achieve both rigidity and drainage of theaccommodation case 120. - Further, as shown in
Fig. 13 , theupper member 121 in theconnector housing 124 is provided withribs 121e for fixing the position of theconnector 132 in theconnector housing 124. Eachrib 121e is formed with anotch 121f for allowing water coming out of the cell accommodation space via thecommunication hole 121d to pass therethrough. With this arrangement, even when thebattery module 100 is placed with theconnector housing 124 facing downward, water having entered theaccommodation case 120 can be drained from theaccommodation case 120 via the flow path including thecommunication hole 121d and thenotches 121f. -
- 1. The battery module according to the above-described embodiment comprises
- a cell assembly (for example, 110) formed by sandwiching a plurality of battery cells (for example, 111) by a pair of holding members (for example, 112a, 112b), and
- an accommodation case (for example, 120) configured to accommodate the cell assembly,
- wherein the accommodation case includes a vent hole (for example, 126a) for gas, and
- a flow path passing through the vent hole is formed in a labyrinth structure by covering the vent hole by a connecting portion (for example, 112c) between the pair of holding members.
- 2. In the battery module according to the above-described embodiment,
a surface of the connecting portion on a side of the vent hole has a planar shape having a larger area than the vent hole.
According to this arrangement, the connecting portion between the two holding members can cover the entire vent hole, so that it is possible to further reduce entry of foreign substances from the vent hole. - 3. In the battery module according to the above-described embodiment,
the connecting portion is configured to cover a plurality of the vent holes, and includes, at a position facing a portion between the plurality of the vent holes in the accommodation case, a convex portion (for example, 112d) protruding toward the portion.
According to this arrangement, the entry path of foreign substances from the vent hole is restricted, so that the effect of reducing entry of foreign substances can be improved. - 4. The battery module according to the above-described embodiment comprises
- a cell assembly (for example, 110) formed by sandwiching a plurality of battery cells (for example, 111) by a pair of holding members (for example, 112a, 112b),
- an accommodation case (for example, 120) configured to accommodate the cell assembly, and
- a grip member (for example, 123) provided so as to cover a partial region (for example, 121a-1) of the accommodation case from the outside,
- wherein the accommodation case includes a communication hole (for example, 121b) for fluid in the partial region covered by the grip member.
- 5. In the battery module according to the above-described embodiment,
- the partial region covered by the grip member is formed in a recess shape when viewed from the outside of the accommodation case, and
- the communication hole is provided in a side surface of the partial region formed in the recess shape.
- 6. In the battery module according to the above-described embodiment,
the side surface of the partial region in which the communication hole is provided is an inclined surface inclined with respect to a bottom surface of the partial region.
According to this arrangement, when the battery module is placed upside down, the communication hole is located lower as compared with a case in which the communication hole is provided in the bottom surface of the recess partial region. Accordingly, it is possible to further suppress accumulation of water in the accommodation case. - 7. In the battery module according to the above-described embodiment,
a flow path passing through the communication hole is formed in a labyrinth structure by the grip member.
According to this arrangement, it is possible to further reduce entry of rain and the like from the communication hole. - 8. In the battery module according to the above-described embodiment,
- the accommodation case is configured to include a cell accommodation space in which the cell assembly is accommodated and a terminal accommodation space in which a terminal (for example, 132) configured to perform charge and discharge of the plurality of battery cells is accommodated, and
- in the accommodation case, a second communication hole (for example, 121d) that communicates between the cell accommodation space and the terminal accommodation space is provided in a partition wall (for example, 120a) configured to partition the cell accommodation space and the terminal accommodation space.
- 9. In the battery module according to the above-described embodiment,
- the terminal is electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells via a cable (for example, 133), and
- the second communication hole is provided, in the partition wall, at a position spaced apart from an opening (for example, 122d) through which the cable passes.
- 10. In the battery module according to the above-described embodiment,
- the accommodation case is formed by a pair of members (for example, 121, 122) separable in a direction different from an array direction of the cell accommodation space and the terminal accommodation space,
- the second communication hole is formed in one of the pair of members, and
- the opening through which the cable passes is formed in the other one of the pair of members.
- According to this arrangement, the opening through which the cable passes and the second communication hole are formed in different members, so that it is possible to reduce the influence, on the terminal and the cable, of water drained from the cell accommodation space to the terminal accommodation space via the second communication hole, and the accommodation case can be manufactured more easily.
- The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and various changes and modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, to apprise the public of the scope of the present invention, the following claims are made.)
- 1: working machine, 10: electric power unit, 11: motor device, 100: battery module, 110: cell assembly, 111: battery cell, 112: holding portion, 120: accommodation case, 125: suction hole, 126: exhaust hole, 127; rib
Claims (9)
- A battery module (100) comprising:a cell assembly (110) formed by sandwiching a plurality of battery cells (111) by a pair of holding members (112a, 112b);an accommodation case (120) configured to accommodate the cell assembly (110); anda grip member (123) provided so as to cover a partial region (121a-1) of the accommodation case (120) from the outside,characterized in that the accommodation case (120) includes a communication hole (121b) for fluid in the partial region (121a-1) covered by the grip member (123).
- The battery module (100) according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe partial region (121a-1) covered by the grip member (123) is formed in a recess shape when viewed from the outside of the accommodation case (120), andthe communication hole (121b) is provided in a side surface of the partial region (121a-1) formed in the recess shape.
- The battery module (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the side surface of the partial region (121a-1) in which the communication hole (121b) is provided is an inclined surface inclined with respect to a bottom surface of the partial region (121a-1).
- The battery module (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a flow path passing through the communication hole (121b) is formed in a labyrinth structure by the grip member (123).
- The battery module (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in thatthe accommodation case (120) is configured to include a cell accommodation space (141, 142) in which the cell assembly (100) is accommodated and a terminal accommodation space in which a terminal (132) configured to perform charge and discharge of the plurality of battery cells (111) is accommodated, andin the accommodation case (120), a second communication hole (121d) that communicates between the cell accommodation space (141, 142) and the terminal accommodation space is provided in a partition wall (120a) configured to partition the cell accommodation space (141, 142) and the terminal accommodation space.
- The battery module (100) according to claim 5, characterized in thatthe terminal (132) is electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells (111) via a cable (133), andthe second communication hole (121d) is provided, in the partition wall (120a), at a position spaced apart from an opening (122d) through which the cable (133) passes.
- The battery module (100) according to claim 6, characterized in thatthe accommodation case (120) is formed by a pair of members (121, 122) separable in a direction different from an array direction of the cell accommodation space (141, 142) and the terminal accommodation space,the second communication hole (121d) is formed in one of the pair of members (121, 122),
andthe opening (122d) through which the cable passes is formed in the other one of the pair of members (121, 122). - An electric power unit (10) characterized by comprising:a battery module (100) defined in any one of claims 1 to 7; anda motor (11a) configured to be operated by power from the battery module (100).
- A working machine (1) characterized by comprising:an electric power unit (10) defined in claim 8; anda working unit (20) configured to perform work by power from the electric power unit (10).
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP23185205.4A EP4246696A3 (en) | 2019-10-03 | 2019-10-03 | Battery module, electric power unit, and work machine |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP19928306.0A EP3823082B1 (en) | 2019-10-03 | 2019-10-03 | Battery module, electric power unit, and work machine |
EP23185205.4A EP4246696A3 (en) | 2019-10-03 | 2019-10-03 | Battery module, electric power unit, and work machine |
PCT/JP2019/039154 WO2021064950A1 (en) | 2019-10-03 | 2019-10-03 | Battery module, electric power unit, and work machine |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19928306.0A Division EP3823082B1 (en) | 2019-10-03 | 2019-10-03 | Battery module, electric power unit, and work machine |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP4246696A2 true EP4246696A2 (en) | 2023-09-20 |
EP4246696A3 EP4246696A3 (en) | 2024-03-06 |
Family
ID=75337947
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP23185205.4A Pending EP4246696A3 (en) | 2019-10-03 | 2019-10-03 | Battery module, electric power unit, and work machine |
EP19928306.0A Active EP3823082B1 (en) | 2019-10-03 | 2019-10-03 | Battery module, electric power unit, and work machine |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19928306.0A Active EP3823082B1 (en) | 2019-10-03 | 2019-10-03 | Battery module, electric power unit, and work machine |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20220216567A1 (en) |
EP (2) | EP4246696A3 (en) |
JP (1) | JP7339354B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN114270602A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2021064950A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR20210086089A (en) * | 2019-12-31 | 2021-07-08 | 삼성에스디아이 주식회사 | Battery pack |
CN114709551B (en) * | 2021-07-16 | 2023-09-26 | 孚能科技(镇江)有限公司 | Battery equipment and preparation method thereof |
CN113871773B (en) * | 2021-08-20 | 2023-01-03 | 清华大学 | Battery pack and electrical apparatus |
CN115832567B (en) * | 2022-10-12 | 2024-01-09 | 宁德时代新能源科技股份有限公司 | Battery cell, battery and electricity utilization device |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP3742261B2 (en) | 1999-11-10 | 2006-02-01 | 株式会社マキタ | Battery pack for electric tools |
Family Cites Families (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2005209369A (en) * | 2004-01-20 | 2005-08-04 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Battery pack |
KR100892047B1 (en) | 2006-09-18 | 2009-04-07 | 주식회사 엘지화학 | Battery Module and Middle or Large-sized Battery Pack Containing the Same |
EP2828908A1 (en) * | 2012-03-19 | 2015-01-28 | Husqvarna AB | Battery pack thermal management system |
CN104137296B (en) * | 2012-03-21 | 2016-09-21 | 三洋电机株式会社 | The manufacture device of set of cells and set of cells and manufacture method |
JP2016018605A (en) * | 2014-07-04 | 2016-02-01 | 株式会社マキタ | Power supply device |
WO2017073201A1 (en) * | 2015-10-28 | 2017-05-04 | ソニー株式会社 | Electric device case and battery pack provided with same |
JP2017169279A (en) * | 2016-03-14 | 2017-09-21 | 日本電気株式会社 | Pole-mounted power storage device and pole-mounted power storage device system |
CN106252550A (en) * | 2016-08-18 | 2016-12-21 | 浙江卓远机电科技有限公司 | Battery bag button device |
KR102410758B1 (en) * | 2016-11-14 | 2022-06-22 | 주식회사 엘지에너지솔루션 | Battery Pack with Improved Cooling Efficiency and Durability against External Impact |
DE112018002901T5 (en) * | 2017-06-09 | 2020-02-20 | Husqvarna Ab | FAN WITH IMPROVED BATTERY COOLING |
WO2019065033A1 (en) * | 2017-09-29 | 2019-04-04 | 三洋電機株式会社 | Power supply device |
-
2019
- 2019-10-03 EP EP23185205.4A patent/EP4246696A3/en active Pending
- 2019-10-03 CN CN201980027286.3A patent/CN114270602A/en active Pending
- 2019-10-03 EP EP19928306.0A patent/EP3823082B1/en active Active
- 2019-10-03 WO PCT/JP2019/039154 patent/WO2021064950A1/en unknown
- 2019-10-03 JP JP2021550890A patent/JP7339354B2/en active Active
-
2022
- 2022-03-24 US US17/703,954 patent/US20220216567A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP3742261B2 (en) | 1999-11-10 | 2006-02-01 | 株式会社マキタ | Battery pack for electric tools |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3823082A4 (en) | 2021-11-10 |
WO2021064950A1 (en) | 2021-04-08 |
CN114270602A (en) | 2022-04-01 |
JPWO2021064950A1 (en) | 2021-04-08 |
JP7339354B2 (en) | 2023-09-05 |
EP3823082B1 (en) | 2023-07-19 |
EP4246696A3 (en) | 2024-03-06 |
US20220216567A1 (en) | 2022-07-07 |
EP3823082A1 (en) | 2021-05-19 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP3823082B1 (en) | Battery module, electric power unit, and work machine | |
JP6404139B2 (en) | Battery pack | |
RU2563341C2 (en) | Battery unit | |
US8343643B2 (en) | Battery pack including a support frame | |
KR101934396B1 (en) | Battery assembly | |
JP5256634B2 (en) | Assembled battery and connector module for assembled battery | |
EP2416407B1 (en) | Battery pack with a connector to supply power to electrical apparatus connecting terminals | |
US20130078488A1 (en) | Electric storage apparatus | |
WO2021115227A1 (en) | Battery pack, electric tool system comprising same, and charging system | |
US20220223943A1 (en) | Battery module, electric power unit, and working machine | |
JPWO2021064950A5 (en) | ||
DE102021134117A1 (en) | DUST COLLECTOR | |
KR101893961B1 (en) | Battery Pack | |
TWI740666B (en) | Battery pack | |
CN115472982A (en) | Energy storage battery shell, energy storage battery and energy storage system | |
JP7392122B2 (en) | charger | |
JPWO2021064949A5 (en) | ||
JP2009135110A (en) | Battery pack and combination of the battery pack and electrical tool | |
JP7438004B2 (en) | Battery related equipment | |
JP2020119653A (en) | Conductive module | |
JP7538615B2 (en) | Charger | |
EP2748880B1 (en) | Battery pack and battery powered tool | |
CN112510314B (en) | Storage battery pack | |
CN116259910A (en) | Battery module and electric equipment | |
DE102021134128A1 (en) | DUST COLLECTOR |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20230713 |
|
AC | Divisional application: reference to earlier application |
Ref document number: 3823082 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: P |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R079 Free format text: PREVIOUS MAIN CLASS: H01M0050367000 Ipc: H01M0010656600 |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: H01M 50/367 20210101ALI20240131BHEP Ipc: H01M 50/247 20210101ALI20240131BHEP Ipc: H01M 50/24 20210101ALI20240131BHEP Ipc: H01M 50/213 20210101ALI20240131BHEP Ipc: H01M 10/6563 20140101ALI20240131BHEP Ipc: H01M 10/6562 20140101ALI20240131BHEP Ipc: H01M 10/6556 20140101ALI20240131BHEP Ipc: H01M 10/6235 20140101ALI20240131BHEP Ipc: H01M 10/613 20140101ALI20240131BHEP Ipc: H01M 10/6566 20140101AFI20240131BHEP |